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News Briefs

The Revere Public Schools officially announced this week that they have set the commencement exercises for this year’s senior class on Thursday, June 8.

The rain date will be Friday, June 9.

The graduation will take place at Della Russo Stadium at 6 p.m.

School officials were hesitant to set the date officially for some time because of the threat of cold and inclement weather continuing into March. With that weather (hopefully) in the past, the schools felt comfortable announcing the date.

It was officially made at the School Committee meeting on March 21.

Revere CC Community Champions Awards Reception to be held

The Revere Chamber of Commerce will be presenting its Fourth Annual Community Champions Awards Reception on Wednesday April 19 at Casa Lucia Function Facility 61 Lucia Ave Revere, 6 -10 pm. We will honor and recognize our City of Revere Community Champions for their outstanding contributions to our business and civic community. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased via PayPal at www.reverechamber.org rsvp by April 12th at info@reverechamber.org or by calling Marguerite at the Chamber Office at 781.289.8009

Free ice cream

Showcase Cinemas is participating in Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day on April 4 from 12-8 PM, for the first time ever.

Ice cream lovers are invited to select Showcase locations, including Showcase Cinema de Revere, to join in on the company’s long-time tradition of thanking fans for their commitment and ongoing support.

To make the deal even sweeter, Free Cone Day falls on Bargain Tuesday, which gives Showcase customers discounted admission beginning at $8.50 per ticket.

Arrigo proposes City of Revere reduce default speed limit

Last year, Governor Charlie Baker approved legislation that allows cities and towns to reduce the default speed limit on non-posted roads to 25 MPH, instead of the current 30 MPH.

Joining a movement involving other neighboring communities, including Boston, Chelsea and Cambridge, Mayor Brian Arrigo submitted a request to the Revere City Council to adopt the lower limit. The motion will be discussed at Monday night’s Council meeting.

The modification to speed limits would not impact roads with posted limits, or state roads. However, it would slow down speeds in residential areas in the name of public safety.

“Most of our streets that don’t have posted speed limits are residential roads,” said Mayor Brian Arrigo. “There could be kids on their bikes, or out playing basketball. Drivers need to be aware when they’re on residential streets and slow down.”

“While reducing the speed limit to 25 MPH does not eliminate all danger for children and other pedestrians, encouraging drivers to slow down even just a little bit improves safety for everyone on our streets,” added the Mayor.

If the Council votes to approve the lower speed limit, the City will need to notify MassDOT and set a start date for the changes. This would also include an education campaign to notify drivers of the upcoming change.

Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and speed is one of the most important factors in traffic safety for both drivers and pedestrians. According to a study performed by AAA in 2011, pedestrians hit by a car traveling under 20 MPH have over a 9 in 10 chance of surviving the crash. However, more than half of pedestrian crashes studied where a vehicle was traveling over 30 MPH were fatal. Additionally, a small reduction in speed can improve response time to allow drivers and pedestrians to avoid a crash in the first place.

The ability for cities and towns to adopt a lower speed limit in non-posted areas was a key component of Governor Baker’s Municipal Modernization Bill, signed in to law in 2016.

Help clean up the shopping carts

Any shopping carts that have been removed from store property and their parking lots need to be picked up by the owners of the carts, as opposed to having the City DPW track them down and pick them up. Here’s who to contact to get them picked up to clean up our City:

For pickup of Price Rite shopping carts (blue handles) Leave street address and nearest intersection of cart, and city with Rich Rendazo, Assistant District Manager 617-283-2335.

NARFE Monthly Meeting

The North Shore Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will hold its free monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 1:00 pm at the Torigian Senior Center, 79R Central Street, Peabody. During the meeting members will practice using the new NARFE Legislative Action Center to send letters and make phone calls to Congressional representatives regarding issues important to retired and active Federal employees. Refreshments will be available and a raffle will be held. For further information contact Mike Evers 978 922-6932

DCR: APRIL 2017 PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Shorebird Surprises

Saturday, April 1 2:30 – 4:00 pm

Winthrop Shores Reservation

Come explore beautiful Winthrop Shores to look for

shorebird specialties of Piping Plover, Sanderling,

and American Oystercatcher and learn how these birds are adapted for survival. Some binoculars and a spotting scope will be provided but please bring these items if you are able to. Meet at: Winthrop Beach on Winthrop Shore Drive across from Sturgis Street and 62 Winthrop Shore Drive. Free on street parking is available.

Discover the active spring creatures that abound at this beautifully restored wildlife sanctuary that once was a former dump and drive –in movie theatre. Learn how these animals are adapted for survival. Some binoculars will be provided but please bring these items if you are able to. This program is wheel chair accessible and involves traveling a distance of up to a mile and a half. Meet at: Main parking lot located on Bennington Street, East Boston. Parking is on a paved lot and is free of charge.

What Lies Beneath the Sea

Saturday April 22

2:30 – 4:00 pm and by appointment

Short Beach Section of Winthrop Shores Reservation

Discover what animals lie beneath the sea on this tide pool exploration and learn how these animals struggle for survival and satisfy their voracious appetites. Be prepared for walking on rocky and slippery ground and getting your feet wet. Some nets will be provided but bring a net if you have one. Meet at: Short beach section of Winthrop Shores Reservation, Winthrop, Ma (Beachside on the sidewalk near the boundary between Winthrop parkway, Revere, MA and Revere Street, Winthrop, MA.) Limited on street parking and in small lot across the street. Parking is free of charge.

All programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome but children under eight years of age may have difficulty using binoculars or a spotting scope because of their stage of cognitive development. An adult must accompany children. Birding programs are suitable for both beginners and experts. For possible changes and cancellations to these programs please phone (978) 937-2094 ext. 121 Rain cancels. For more information call (781) 485-2804 ext. 105 or email Mathew.nash@state.ma.us. For a listing of other programs at other DCR state parks, please visit www.mass.gov/DCR. These events are co-sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh.

Revere online bill payment system now accepts ACH check payments

The city of Revere’s online payment system for property taxes, excise taxes and real estate taxes has been updated to accept ACH check payments. ACH payments will be assessed a 50-cent fee. Credit and debit card payments will continue to be assessed a three percent fee.

The online payment system for motor vehicle excise tax, personal property tax, real estate tax, water bills, and parking tickets can be accessed at http://www.revere.org/departments/director-of-finance/e-payment.

Events for children with special needs and their families

The City of Revere, in conjunction with the Revere Special Needs Drop and Stay Playgroup at the Revere Recreation Center, is proud to present a series of events for special needs children and their families this April in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

On Wednesday, April 12, the Recreation Center is hosting an Easter egg hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny from 6 to 7:30 PM. Your support is appreciated in helping make this event a reality. Donations of plastic eggs and fillers, treats, and drinks would be much appreciated, as would donations of items or gift cards to local stores. No donation is too small. Your help will support our local Revere kids with special needs. With any questions, or if you are able to assist, call or text Jen Duggan at 617-538-7695 or Enza Goodwin at 781-485-7163.

Other highlights include T-Ball, soccer, and open gym nights; a movie night on April 21; and a visit from a Disney Princess and The Incredibles to Revere Recreation on April 10. Special needs kids will also have the opportunity to tour a working fire house and meet firefighters on April 19 at 5:30, and meet a service dog at Revere Recreation on April 17 at 6:00.

Legislature Passes Spending Bill with a Focus on Supporting Those Most in Need

Invests in behavioral health, DCF and the families of first responders

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and State Rep. RoseLee Vincent joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a supplemental budget that makes crucial investments to support the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents including the families of those killed in the line of duty.

The spending bill contains $300,000 to begin the process of regulating the recreational marijuana industry following the passage of an initiative petition this past fall.

“As public officials it is our job to look out for those facing adversity, especially our younger residents and those battling addiction,” said DeLeo. “As we encounter uncertainty on a national level, this bill will provide vital resources for these individuals and families. I’m particularly proud that we’ve bolstered financial support for the families of Massachusetts heroes who are killed in the line of duty.”

“As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I would like to commend Chairman Dempsey and Speaker DeLeo for their leadership in restoring some of the most critical funding to our state’s budget,” said Vincent. “As a legislature, we have a duty to ensure that there are resources available to ensure our elders, our children and those who are facing homelessness are able to live a healthy life. This supplemental budget will do just that.”

The House continues to provide record-level funding to confront the behavioral health and substance addiction challenges plaguing Massachusetts. This legislation invests more than $2.8 million for the Department of Mental Health. It also provides support in numerous ways to help vulnerable populations including:

More than $5.2 million for the Department of Children and Families;

Nearly $11 million for the Department of Developmental Services which will help than 464 individuals;

About $4.5 million for the Department of Elder Affairs;

About $21 million for emergency homelessness assistance;

More than $31 million to provide legal representation for those who cannot afford it including youths and those with mental health problems.

The spending bill also doubles the benefit for those killed in the line of duty, bringing the total to $300,000 to provide support for their families.